Centennial High School (Compton, California)

Centennial High School (Compton, California)
Name	Centennial High School
Location	Compton, California
District	Compton Unified School District
Type	Public
Established	1994
Principal	Dr. Alejandro Vega
Enrollment	~1,800
Colors	Navy blue, Columbia blue, and white
Mascot	Apaches

Centennial High School (Compton, California). Centennial High School is a comprehensive public secondary institution located in the city of Compton within Los Angeles County. Opened in 1994, it operates under the jurisdiction of the Compton Unified School District and serves students in grades nine through twelve. The school's mascot is the Apaches, and its athletic teams compete in the CIF Southern Section.

History

The school was established in 1994 to accommodate growing enrollment within the Compton Unified School District, becoming the district's third traditional high school alongside Compton High School and Dominguez High School. Its founding coincided with a period of significant demographic and social change in the city of Compton. The school's name, Centennial, was chosen to reflect a forward-looking vision for the community's next century. Over the years, it has developed a notable reputation for its competitive Academic Decathlon program and success in various CIF Southern Section athletic championships.

Campus

The campus is situated on a multi-acre site in central Compton, featuring a collection of modern, single-story classroom buildings constructed in the late 20th century. Facilities include a central administration building, a dedicated library media center, and specialized laboratories for science and technology instruction. Athletic facilities are extensive, encompassing a football stadium, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. The campus layout is designed around central quads and walkways, with security measures implemented in coordination with the Compton Police Department.

Academics

Centennial High School offers a standard University of California and California State University preparatory curriculum, including a selection of Advanced Placement courses. The school has gained recognition for its consistently high-performing Academic Decathlon team, which has won multiple Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon titles and placed prominently in the California Academic Decathlon. Specialized programs include career pathways in health sciences and information technology. Student performance is measured through the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress system, with ongoing instructional support provided by the Compton Unified School District.

Athletics

Competing as the Apaches in the CIF Southern Section, Centennial fields teams in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, and wrestling. The school's athletic program has a strong tradition, particularly in football, where it has produced several NCAA Division I recruits and won league championships. The boys' basketball team has also seen success, making deep runs in the CIF State Basketball Championships. Home games are played in the school's stadium and gymnasium, with rivalries against other Compton Unified School District schools like Compton High School.

Notable alumni

Notable individuals who attended Centennial High School include professional athletes and entertainers. In the National Football League, alumni include DeAnthony Thomas, a former Kansas City Chiefs player and University of Oregon standout, and Juju Smith-Schuster, a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. The school has also educated figures in music, such as YG, a prominent rapper from Compton signed to Def Jam Recordings.

Demographics

As reported by the California Department of Education, the student body is predominantly Latino and African American, reflecting the broader demographic composition of the city of Compton. A significant percentage of students are classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged, qualifying for programs like the National School Lunch Program. The school also serves a population of English language learners, with instructional support provided through designated English as a second language programs.

Category:High schools in Compton, California Category:Compton Unified School District Category:Educational institutions established in 1994